Rest....

As I sit and reflect the past week and a half, I am filled with thankfulness. I am most thankful for those who have been praying for me so fervently - esp. as I dealt with constant activity when I was ready to just shut down and hibernate for a little while. I admit I didn't have the best attitude at the beginning of the ICEC conference - driving people back and forth and attending a conference that wasn't completely applicable didn't really thrill me. But God worked on my heart the first night of the conference and I was reminded once again that whining isn't going to get me anywhere and it doesn't glorify God one bit. So I sought to see what else God might want to do in the next week. What I found was refreshment amidst the exhaustion. I had 3 friends from NY visiting this week - starting during the conference until yesterday morning. They brought a fresh eye to this beautiful place that I live. It was fun to show them around - and I was able to find little opportunities to spend time with them during the conference. Some of the conference topics were very applicable - mostly about how God works in our weakness and how we need to trust him. (Always a good reminder). It was awesome hearing about what God is doing in countries all over the world- Romania, Africa etc. Some of the stories I heard lifted me out of my little bubble and reminded me that there is more in the world than BFA - harder situations that God is doing amazing things in. I learned of a new country - Azerbaijan, and got to know some people working their - so VERY different from Germany. Ultimately I am thankful for the chance to be involved with the conference, yet very glad to now have a full week of rest.

The rest of last week I spent with my NY friends Debbie, Tricia and Pamela (who I met for the first time this week). We went to Madrid for a couple days - so I was able to get out of the country which I very much needed. It is such a different culture down there - it was fascinating. I loved being their on Good Friday because when we went into various Cathedrals, I reflected on the death and resurrection of Christ and what that means for us as Christians. We were blessed by the Munro's - a missionary family there that we stayed with. They are ministering to the South Americans that have been immigrating to Spain - that was fascinating to learn about. The South Americans are being reached so they can reach out to the Spanish, which is a very hardened culture to Christianity. God is doing amazing things all over!!

My friends left yesterday after a great last day exploring Germany on Saturday. It was a blessing to have them visit - very much what I needed. I enjoyed the Easter service at church and a lovely lunch with my dorm mom and her boys. Today in a few minutes, I will go pick up my best friend Bekah who is coming to visit. She will be my sister in a few months! It is people like this that God useds to bring refreshment.

Thank you for praying for little Anna and her parents - continue to pray. I will keep you updated. I will post some pictures from my journey of last week soon! Until then, God bless!